Arsenal right-back BacarySagna has yet to extend his contract, so should manager ArseneWenger target Reims' Aissa Mandi as a potential successor to Sagna? To cover that hypothetical, here is a scouting report on Mandi, a 22-year-old Algerian international.

Au Revoir

Sang Tan/Associated Press

"I still consider myself as an Arsenal player at present," Sagna said, per Europe1 (h/t ESPN). "But actually we had a small problem to agree with the club, and I don't think I'll stay at Arsenal at the end of the season."

Wenger is taking the stance of: "What can you do for me in the future?"

Meanwhile, Sagna's argument for a substantial salary increase is what he has done in the past.

The treatment of Sagna reinforces the view that youth is more valuable than meritocracy in Wenger's eyes.

"The ball is not in our camp anymore," Wenger said, per Hannah Duncan at the Metro. "It is in his [Sagna's] camp, and he needs to come back to us."

It must be a frustrating feeling for Sagna, a 31-year-old French international, who dedicated seven seasons to Arsenal yet is being strong-armed in getting the money he believes he deserves.

He was a world-class right-back, suffered two leg breaks, bounced back to become a reliable player, but it is meaningless in the big picture.

"I understand the club's point of view, 'Mikel is not a £25 million player because he is not 22 any more' but I know what I can give," Arteta said, per John Cross at the Mirror. "For me, a much bigger asset is someone who has played over 125 games in three years compared to someone who has played 25 and is 20."

In Mandi's last three seasons, he has played 87 league games for Reims, so he has a track record for Wenger to build upon.

Coincidentally, "Sagna made 87 appearances over the past three seasons for Auxerre," per Matt Law at the Daily Express, when he arrived at Arsenal for £7.5 million in 2007.

Mandi is an assertive tackler, is ultra-competitive and possesses superior physical tangibles to Sagna.

Mandi

Sagna

Age

22

31

Height

6'1"

5'9"

Weight

172 lbs

159 lbs

Source: Ligue1.com.

Mandi has played at right-back and left-back for Reims, and there is no discrepancy in his work rate or defensive productivity.

Source: Squawka.com.

Source: Squawka.com.

Mandi intercepted six passes against Evian ThononGaillard from right-back, per Squawka.com, and was perfect in his tackle success percentage (six-for-six) against Lille from left-back, per Squawka.com.

Source: Squawka.com.

Source: Squawka.com.

Mandi is a proactive defender and is a more prolific ball-winner than Sagna.

League Only

Mandi

Sagna

Tackles Per Game

3.1

1.7

Interceptions Per Game

2.1

1.5

Fouls Per Game

1.4

0.7

Tackles Per Foul

2.3

2.5

Yellow Cards/Red Cards

2/1

6/0

While Mandi lacks the natural attacking flair of Toulouse right wing-back/centre-back Serge Aurier, there is promise.

This was on show with a well-worked one-two leading to Mandi hitting the post against Guingamp.

Source: Ligue1.com.

Against Saint-Etienne, Mandi raided left-back Jonathan Brison's flank, dragged centre-back LoicPerrin out of position, and found Reims centre-forward GaetanCharbonnier with an incisive pass.

Source: Ligue1.com.

Mandi read the play of Reims central midfielder GrzegorzKrychowiak, was in position to receive his teammate's back-heel and then whipped in a ball to Reims central midfielder Prince Oniangue, who finished past Evian goalkeeper Jesper Hansen.

Source: Ligue1.com.

Negatives

Mandi needs to refine his passing because his completion percentage (73.8) would rank as the third lowest for an Arsenal outfielder.

He is often wasteful in the attacking half hence why he misplaces 86.4 percent of his crosses.

He is susceptible to mental errors like a baffling own goal against Paris Saint-Germain or moving away from goal, which enabled Evian substitute ZakariyaAbarouai to get off a clean shot.

Source: Ligue1.com.

Source: Ligue1.com.

Mandi must remove the unnecessary roughness in his game.

Last season, he followed through on Nice centre-back Nemanja Pejcinovic and this season, Mandi axe-kicked Monaco left-back LayvinKurzawa.

Source: Ligue1.com.

Source: Ligue1.com.

When Sagna defends, he is composed, retains correct positioning and is a calculated tackler.

Whereas, Mandi is frenetic, gung-ho, off-the-cuff and reckless.

It works to his advantage against timid players, but he will be found wanting against craftier opponents.